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If isolation is an issue, perhaps there is a co-working space or public space at which you can work. If you don't want to work in public, maybe you just need to go to some meetups, professional organization, makerspace, or some other type of group where people come to socialize. You may want to try a mix of tech and non-tech type groups. I found when I was running my own business in my early 20s that a local user group provided a good way to meet new customers and interact with people. I also tried things like board game meetups, "young professional" groups, etc. even if I didn't like the people or never went back, I found it a good to break up my routine. I would also make sure to spend time outside, at the public library, just leave the apartment for lunch, etc. I have often thought about leaving tech or going to a different area within tech, I can empathize that its scary to think you are a specialized cog that can't really do anything else. It may be helpful to reach out to a career professional for some advice - for example if you went to a college/university, they usually provide career counseling for alumni, local libraries also often have resources or people who may help. If you are thinking of staying in your own business, you may want to try your local Small Business Association chapter (or equivalent if you are outside of the US). Remember, your greatest asset is often not what you know, but that you know how to think and make critical decisions. I am sure you have learned a new programming language or figured out how to deal with a bad customer. Those are skills which can be generalized and applied in other areas. It may be hard or scary to take the step on how to apply these skills in a different area, but you may be able to think of low risk ways of trying it out. Maybe there is some type of freelancing gig outside your realm or even outside of tech you could try. Some of the networking ideas about may help you bump into someone who needs your skills - even if its not paid work, they may buy you a coffee just to pick you mind. I would also second some of the other comments on getting a mindless or corporate job for a while, taking a vacation, tech detox, etc. In sum, the first step is to break out of your routine and try something. You may have heard of paralysis by analysis... sometime you have to just take that first step and not worry about having the perfect optimal, zero risk plan in place. |